ISLAMABAD: Due to ongoing construction work on Islamabad Expressway, there will be a shutdown of gas in some areas of twin cities of Rawalpindi Friday and Saturday.

According to Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL), the supply of gas will remain suspended from 8am onwards in areas, which receive gas from the main line.

SNGPL officials said the supply of gas will be suspended due to construction work on Islamabad Expressway.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has been executing two construction projects on Expressway - PWD Underpass and Korang Bridge.

CDA has been requesting SNGPL and Iesco to shift utility lines that fall in the way of the project sites.

Sources said SNGPL will shift its main supply line from the project site to the nearest area.

Therefore, the supply of gas will remain suspended during this shifting.

After SNGPL in the coming days, Iesco will also have to shift its line from the said project sites, they added.

CDA officials said that the civic agency had already paid SNGPL and Iesco for shifting their lines from the project site.

Meanwhile, another project of CDA – construction of Rawal Dam Inter Change - is in progress and in the coming days, the SNGPL, Iesco and other utility service providers will shift their lines from the project’s way.

Officials of SNGPL helpline on Friday night speaking to Dawn claimed that gas supply will remain suspended to entire Islamabad from Friday morning to until Sunday morning.

The CDA officials said due to negligence of utility service providers as well as the CDA, the electricity and gas lines were laid in the alignment of road or its right of way in the past without keeping in view the future needs.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2021